Will Vaping be Deregulated in the Future?

Will Vaping Be Deregulated in the Future?

Vaping indoors and an end to the 2ml tank could be part of a future of deregulated vaping following the government’s latest Tobacco Control Plan.

The plans, released last week, show how the government wants to encourage people to switch to ecigarettes as part of a plan to cut smoking rates to 12% by 2022.

And if smoking rates continue to fall at that rate the UK could be smoker-free by 2033, according to charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Some of the proposed deregulations include scrapping the 10ml refill container size which came in with the latest EU directive, and allowing ecigarettes to be used in the office.

The government has said that more information on ecigarettes will also be made available to the public. The aim is for vaping to be seen as an effective smoking cessation device in the battle against smoking.

Many Vapers Feel the TPD is Overly Harsh

Under the Tobacco Products Directive, EU legislation that brought regulation to eliquid and ecigarettes, the industry faces stiffer regulation, which many vapers feel is overly harsh given the idea that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking.

These TPD vaping rules included smaller tanks, tobacco-style packaging and the submission of every flavour to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for approval. New packaging guidelines were also introduced.

But some of those deregulations could include scrapping the 10ml e liquid bottles refill container size which came in with the latest EU directive, and allowing ecigarettes to be used in the office.

The government has said that more information on ecigarettes will be made available to the public. The aim is for vaping to be seen as an effective smoking cessation device.

This week the Australia and New Zealand of College of Psychiatrists also endorsed ecigarettes, claiming they are desperately needed to help people quit smoking. And convenience stores are now lobbying to be able to sell the products which are illegal in Australia despite widespread use.

Ecigarettes Can Be Especially Effective Where People Have Unsuccessfully Tried to Quit Smoking

And one area where ecigarettes can be especially effective is where people have tried to quit but have been unsuccessful. Despite successive years of tobacco control in most countries, using an e cigarette can help that portion of a population who are still struggling to quit.

The Tobacco Products Directive came into full force in May 2017 and the most notable changes for vapers included a reduction in tank size to 2ml, a reduction in refill size with the max now being 10ml and the top nicotine strength reduced to 20mg.

Part of the directive’s aims are to make smoking less appealing to children and also ensure that all the products are being properly tested for undesirable elements, such as Diacetyl.

Vaping has already been backed by The Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England who declared it 95% safer than smoking cigarettes.